The Face of Logic

One would think it would not take the proof of a picture like this to finally make a logical appeal to mid-century Americans that racist ideals permeate our soil, and that they are a gross distortion of American values. Why was it not enough that stories were told of the conditions African-Americans faced for years and years? The answer is simply because a picture is worth a thousand words. This photo proved to long-pondering Americans that couldn't be bothered to act that the next logical and immediate step was to introduce new legislation. These later enacted provisions attempted to protect the rights of African - Americans and enabled them to vote, have fair employment and be "free men" as all men, women and children are meant to be.

This photograph achieved what hundreds of stories of cruelty towards African-Americans failed to do. That is because a photo can't be ignored. The glaring evidence of Emmett Till's brutal murder demanded attention and concern over the welfare of millions young such Emmett Tills across the country.

This was the evidence of the dangerous effects of racism that Americans couldn't turn a blind eye to. The mutilated face of Emmett Till was staring them in the eyes from newspaper articles. The logical appeal of this photograph proved to be so significant that it provided the platform leaders of the Civil Rights Movement needed to show the world evidence of the injustice faced by blacks not only in the south, but across the United States. This photograph portraying the death of Emmett Till became the catalyst that pushed white Americans to stand with members of the Civil Rights Movement in their fight for equality for African-Americans. This photograph of Emmett Till was a powerful appeal to the cause of equal rights for African-Americans, as it was testimony to the cruelty and racism against African-Americans, which were ubiquitous in 1950's and 1960's America.




- Lina Bauer